By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 12 Jul: In fresh trouble for Congress leader and former minister Shoorvir Singh Sajwan’s wife Ambika Sajwan, a case is being registered in connection with unsafe excavation at plots in the C Block of the district headquarters in Tehri. Ambika, who also served as former district panchayat chairperson of Tehri, had purchased plots P-06 and P-07 from displaced residents Pramila Aswal and Prithvi Raj Kavi, measuring 60 and 100 square metres respectively. The Tehri District Administration has claimed that the excavation carried out for development work on these plots has led to heavy subsidence, endangering nearby government and private buildings.
The administration has further claimed that unscientific and irregular deep digging during construction has affected the foundations of flats located above the site, posing a serious threat to the safety of the families residing there. As a precaution, barricading has been put up around the affected area. Acting on the matter, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has directed Kotwali police to register a report against Ambika Sajwan.
The case is being filed on the complaint of Balbir Singh, who was shifted from the affected location. Balbir Singh claims that after 27 years he was forced to move again due to faulty land allotment by the rehabilitation officials. Based on his complaint, the district administration instructed New Tehri police station to register a case under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, numbered 02/2026, following orders of the SDM Tehri Garhwal.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal today confirmed that three families have been relocated to safer places in view of the danger of land subsidence that has emerged due to excavation. She said that considering the risk of damage from unplanned excavation, directions have been issued to file a case. Kotwali Inspector Aishwarya Pal stated that investigation is underway on the basis of the SDM’s orders and assured that strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty. The incident has raised serious questions about construction practices in the district and the accountability of those involved in land development.
